Feminism in High School Fade

Feminism in High School

Fade in:

Int. Cafeteria -- Lunch time

In a bustling cafeteria full of teenaged students most are more focused on texting and talking than on eating their meals. The center of activity is the middle table where the stereotypical jocks and cheerleaders hold court over the rest of the school.

JONAH, seventeen-year-old typical high school boy who does not belong to the in crowd, nor is he classified as "nerd" or other outsider. He is a nonentity at his school and sits with similar nonentities while they poke at their food and talk about nothing in particular.

JONAH

Every single day of my life, as far back as I can remember I have had to witness things which I do not agree with. But that's life right?

You sit back and watch. Before that fateful April day I had just let them go. it's not your business I said to myself. Maybe if I had done that. I look back torn between applauding my audacity and wanting to punch myself in the face or scream, like in a horror movie when the audience hollers at the blonde soon-to-be victim to get out of the house.

A girl, AMANDA, walks past. She is not beautiful in the traditional sense of the word but has a face full of character which makes her ultimately more attractive. She does not dress in the manner characteristic of modern teenage girls although she is well-developed, something she tries to hide by her clothing choices. She is shy, reserved, and tries her best not to be seen by anyone.

As AMANDA walks past, a foot is stuck out from the side of one of the cafeteria tables, knocking her down. As she attempts to recover, MARCUS, a typical high school jock with perfect features only equaled by his arrogance, grabs her wrist and yanks her to him so that her face is close to his crotch.

MARCUS

Finally.

(Laughter from the cronies surrounding him).

AMANDA pushes off and tries to get to her feet, but MARCUS's hands are all over her and she is pulled into his lap.

AMANDA

(half angry, half sobbing) Let me go. Please just leave me alone.

MARCUS

How many times must we go over this? Consider yourself lucky and do as you're told. And right now we're going into the men's room and you're going to put that smart mouth of yours to good use.

No one is affected in the cafeteria by the announcement that MARCUS intends to sexually assault this girl. The few who have noticed laugh or cheer him on. MARCUS stands, dragging an unwilling AMANDA with him.

JONAH stands and reaches the struggling couple within a few seconds

V.O. JONAH

And there I go

JONAH (to MARCUS)

That's enough!

Both AMANDA and MARCUS look over at him, he annoyed and she with an unidentifiable expression.

MARCUS

(to JONAH) Two questions. One, who the hell do you think you are? And two, what the hell business is this of yours?

JONAH

I'm nobody, but I'm not going to let you take her out of here.